FOR half a century it has ­observed, commented on and kept honest Australia’s politicians, powerbrokers and ­influential business leaders.

Last night they turned out in force to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Australian newspaper.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott flew in from a Parliamentary sitting week in Canberra to lead the tributes at a red-carpet dinner for more than 400 of the nation’s most ­influential people at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney.

The Australian turns 50: Julian Clarke6:11

Nicholas Gray, CEO of The Australian, said: “It is a privilege for everyone here tonight to be celebrating The Australian’s 50th birthday with Rupert Murdoch, the Prime Minister and

so many important constituents, customers and staff members of The Australian. It is a very special night.”

Former prime ministers John Howard and Paul Keating were in attendance, as well as treasurer Joe Hockey, communications minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Business leaders at the event included James Packer, Qantas boss Alan Joyce, Virgin rival John Borghetti and Commonwealth Bank CEO Ian Narev.

Reflecting the national scope of the paper were the representatives from the world of sport, including former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, Australian rugby’s most successful captain, John Eales, and rugby great Mark Ella.

The evening started with a mesmerising performance by Katie Noonan of the song Hallelujah.

Quay Restaurant chef Peter Gilmore created the entree and Rockpool’s Neil Perry crafted the main course. Wines were chosen by wine critic and writer James Halliday.

“Love or hate it, Murdoch’s great broadsheet did and does not think the fourth estate should be retiring in the turbulence of national politics,” he said.

Mr Pearson praised editor Chris Mitchell for the way he has treated indigenous affairs in the paper.

“The Australian brought indigenous affairs in to the mainstream,” he said.

“No mainstream platform comes close.”

In a wideranging speech, Mr Murdoch reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing Australia, urging the nation to strengthen its commercial and cultural links with China, India, Japan and Indonesia.

These four nations, he said, are “increasingly important for Australia as they are all on our doorstep”.

“Australia has an unprecedented opportunity to prosper from this fortunate geography.”

Mr Murdoch also praised Mr Pearson for his speech and expressed his pride in News Corp’s support of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, which he said was on target in building a $120 million fund “that will educate 7000 students over the next two decades”.

“To talk of future decades in the context of a newspaper will seem odd to those of little faith who believe that print is doomed and that mastheads are moribund,” he stated.

“That is absolutely not the case with our newspapers in Australia or The Australian newspaper. These are powerful canvases, able to engage, to entertain, to educate, to provoke, to occasionally irritate, and to enlighten,” he said.

Mr Abbott credited the paper with helping John Howard return to the leadership of the Liberal Party in 1994 - a move that subsequently enabled him to win the Prime Ministership two years later - by putting his (Howard’s) “change of heart on Asian immigration” on the front page.

Mr Abbott cheekily suggested that the paper had represented a “poor financial return” to Mr Murdoch on occasion over the past 50 years, but represented a “priceless return” for the nation as a whole.

“Long ago The Australian found its authentic voice and that has helped governments and people to find theirs,” he said.

Quality control ... Rupert Murdoch checks pages of The Australian on the presses, July 15, 1964.Source:News Corp Australia

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